Morgan State U. Deltas for Darfur
On Thursday, April 10, 2008 I was invited to give a brief presentation to Morgan State University students about Genocide in Darfur Sudan. As my regular readers know, this has been a primary issue for me for the past three years. After more than 500 emails, a stack of sermons, a folder full of articles, a handful of rallies, advocating for two important divestment bills, and organizing a local Baltimore for Darfur event (Thank you Pastor Qismat Alim of Payne Memorial AME Church), I’m not tired yet. There is so much more that needs to be done on this issue.
And while I’m cognizant of some of the valid concerns that some African Americans are raising in reference to the flurry of activity on this issue by non-Africans; I am not content with doing nothing just because those that are waving the biggest banner on this issue may have ulterior motives. If you want to criticize the Jewish-led Save Darfur organization - fine. Yes, they have some problems, but don’t waste precious energy on critiquing them. We Diasporan Africans must put our hands to the plow in mass on this issue - taking the lead while welcoming all sincere offers of assistance.
The Morgan State University Deltas are great. They packed the room with about 50 students - mostly young ladies - all there to hear more about what is happening in Darfur and how they can help. (Shout out to Kiana Buckson - Chair of International Awareness & Involvement!) One of the most pointed recommendations that I gave the group of attentive students was to petition Morgan State’s Board of Regents with a request to have the University divest from Sudan like Howard University has done. (H.U. was the first Historically Black College or University to divest from Sudan.)
The MSU Deltas’ focus on this issue is right on time. This AP Report reveals that the United Nations believes that the Darfur conflict is worsening. According to the UN, there is no prospect of a political settlement, a new peacekeeping force won’t be deployed until 2009, and the UN World Food Program will have to cut in half the amount of food they are delivering to the needy because humanitarian convoys are being attacked! I’ve just about lost all faith in the international community of nations. They have willingly failed miserably on this issue choosing to vomit up words like “never again” again and again while our Sudanese sisters and brothers suffer.
I pray that Morgan students and all students in this nation will commit themselves to this issue. History has shown that students have often led the way in bringing about the radical realities of justice with peace that most adults only have strength to speak about.
Come on youth and young adults! History is once again beckoning us to the forefront!
